OFFICIALS SEEK LIMITS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

San Diego 
City leaders want to move forward quickly with a proposal to cap how much political parties can give directly to city candidates after both major parties flooded campaigns with more than $1.3 million during the last three years.

The limits on political parties would be $10,000 for City Council candidates and $20,000 for citywide candidates under a proposal approved 3-2 Wednesday by a council committee.

The motion also called for the city to enact the limits as emergency legislation before the 2014 election cycle officially kicks off June 3.

“It’s very important for our communities to have a voice in our local elections and to know who has a voice in local elections,” said Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, chair of the rules committee. “Reasonable limits on political party contributions will create greater transparency and an informed and engaged electorate.”

The proposal doesn’t apply to unlimited independent spending by special-interest groups such as business and labor. Unlike political parties, those groups cannot give directly to city candidates.